Systems and Methods for Point of Sale Age Verification

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for point of sale age verification are disclosed. According to one disclosed embodiment, a system includes: a scanner configured to scan a passive data source on an identification card; and a processor coupled to the scanner, the processor configured to: receive a scanner signal from the scanner; verify an age of a user based on the scanner signal; and transmit verification information to a point of sale device, the point of sale device configured to authorize a sale of age-restricted material based on the verification information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/US2019/055337, filed Oct. 9, 2019, andentitled Systems and Methods for Point of Sale Age Verification, whichclaims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 62/815,147, filedon Mar. 7, 2019, entitled “Systems and Methods for Point of Sale AgeVerification.” International Application No. PCT/US2019/055337 alsoclaims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.16/205,809, filed on Nov. 30, 2018, and entitled “Systems and Methodsfor Age-Restricted Product Registration,” which claims the benefit ofApplication No. 62/746,675, filed on Oct. 17, 2018, entitled “Systemsand Methods for Age-Restricted Product Registration.” InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2019/055337 also claims the benefit of, and is acontinuation-in-part of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/954,909,filed on Apr. 17, 2018, and entitled “Systems and Methods For DecodingAnd Using Data On Cards,” which is a continuation of and claims thebenefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/382,319, filed on Dec.16, 2016, and entitled “Systems and Methods For Decoding And Using DataOn Cards,” now U.S. Pat. No. 9,984,266, issued on May 29, 2018, which isa continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/487,952, filed on Sep. 16, 2014, and entitled “Systems andMethods for Decoding and Using Data on Cards,” now U.S. Pat. No.9,558,387, issued on Jan. 31, 2017, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/878,823, filed on Sep. 17, 2013, andentitled “Systems and Methods for Decoding and Using Data on Cards,” theentirety of all of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Age-restricted materials are sold at many points of sale. Many points ofsale do not have proper procedures in place for restricting access tousers who are too young to consume the age-restricted material.Identification cards, such as government issued identification cards,increasingly include some form of machine-readable data. Often manydifferent entities (e.g., corporations, states, or governmentorganizations) use different encoding for this machine-readable data.

SUMMARY OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

One illustrative system according to the present disclosure comprises asystem for age verification, the system comprising: a scanner configuredto scan a passive data source on an identification card; and a processorcoupled to the scanner, the processor configured to: receive a scannersignal from the scanner; verify an age of a user based on the scannersignal; and transmit verification information to a point of sale device,the point of sale device configured to authorize a sale ofage-restricted material based on the verification information.

According to another embodiment, a method according to the presentdisclosure comprises: receiving a scanner signal from a scannerconfigured to scan a passive data source on an identification card;verifying an age of a user based on the scanner signal; and transmittingverification information to a point of sale device, the point of saledevice configured to authorize a sale of age-restricted material basedon the verification information.

According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure anon-transitory computer readable medium may comprise program code, whichwhen executed by a processor is configured to cause the processor to:receive a scanner signal from a scanner configured to scan a passivedata source on an identification card; verify an age of a user based onthe scanner signal; and transmit verification information to a point ofsale device, the point of sale device configured to authorize a sale ofage-restricted material based on the verification information.

This illustrative embodiment is mentioned not to limit or define thelimits of the present subject matter, but to provide an example to aidunderstanding thereof. Illustrative embodiments are discussed in theDetailed Description, and further description is provided there.Advantages offered by various embodiments may be further understood byexamining this specification and/or by practicing one or moreembodiments of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure is set forth more particularly in theremainder of the specification. The specification makes reference to thefollowing appended figures.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative system for point of sale age verificationaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A shows another illustrative system for point of sale ageverification according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B shows another illustrative system for point of sale ageverification according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows another illustrative system for point of sale ageverification according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A shows an illustrative example for a passive data sourceaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B shows another illustrative example for a passive data sourceaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4C shows an illustrative example of an identification cardaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4D shows another illustrative example of an identification cardaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of method steps for implementing a method forpoint of sale age verification according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of method steps for implementing a method forpoint of sale age verification according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various and alternativeillustrative embodiments and to the accompanying drawings. Each exampleis provided by way of explanation and not as a limitation. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variationscan be made. For instance, features illustrated or described as part ofone embodiment may be used in another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that this disclosure includemodifications and variations as come within the scope of the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

Illustrative Example of a Device for Point of Sale Age Verification

Turning now to FIG. 1, which shows one illustrative embodiment of thepresent disclosure 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 comprises anidentification card 102, and internet enabled device 106, and a point ofsale 118. The point of sale 118 comprises age-restricted material 116,such as an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette), which are sometimesreferred to as vaping devices. An e-cigarette dispenses a vapor thatcontains nicotine, and which a user inhales. An e-cigarette is notauthorized for use for people under the age of eighteen. In otherembodiments, age-restricted material may comprise, e.g., a tobaccoproduct, an electronic cigarette, an alcohol product, a firearm,ammunition, explosives, pornography, gambling, or lottery tickets.Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for restrictingthe sale of age-rest restricted material 116 to unauthorized users(e.g., user's below a designated age such as 18 or 21 years of age).

The illustrative embodiment further comprises an internet enabled device106 (e.g., a wearable device, smartphone, tablet, portable music device,kiosk, desktop, or laptop). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, theinternet enabled device 106 comprises a scanner 108 for reading datafrom an identification card 102 comprising a passive data source 104. Insome embodiments, the identification card may include, e.g., a StateIssued Driver License, State Issued Real ID Compliant Driver License,State issued identification card, Federally issued Passport or MilitaryIdentification. In some embodiments, the identification card 102 maycomprise an electronic identification card, e.g., an electronic IDstored in an application on a mobile device such as a smartphone. Insome embodiments, such an electronic identification may comply withISO/IEC CD 18013-5. For example, some governments or other entities mayissue an electronic identification that the user stores in a mobilewallet application. Thus, in some embodiments, the identification card102 and the internet enabled device 106 may comprise a single device,e.g., a mobile device comprising an electronic identification card.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the scanner 108 comprises a digitalcamera configured to capture images. In the illustrative embodiment,this camera comprises a standard camera found on mobile devices, withoutany specialized hardware. The illustrative embodiment further comprisesa network connection, such as a wired or wireless internet connection.The illustrative embodiment further comprises a network interface 110(e.g., Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (“NFC”), or RFID) to connectto a similar network interface 114 on the point of sale device 112.

In the illustrative embodiment, the user accesses an applicationconfigured to verify the user's age by capturing an image of the user'sidentification card 102. For example, the user captures an image ofeither the front or back face of a driver's license. For example, theuser may load a mobile application that includes a widget to execute anage-verification application. In such an embodiment, this widget mayappear as a button, switch, graphical user interface, or other userinterface available for use with the mobile application. After the useraccesses this functionality, e.g., by interacting with the widget, theinternet enabled device 106 may be configured to enter an image capturemode. Alternatively, the user may access a web browser and upload apicture of the identification card 102 via a website accessed throughthe web browser.

In the image-capture mode, the internet enabled device 106 may access adigital camera coupled to the mobile device and display the output on adisplay of the internet enabled device 106. The user may then direct thecamera toward the user's identification card 102 (such as a driver'slicense). Specifically, the user may direct the camera toward passivedata source 104, which may comprise machine-readable data (e.g., abarcode encoded in PDF-417 appearing on the back of the identificationcard). Examples of PDF-417 are shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B below. When thecamera captures an image of the machine-readable data at sufficientresolution to extract the data encoded therein, the application may exitthe image capture screen, and return to another screen of the mobileapplication.

Once the image has been captured, a processor on the internet enableddevice 106 may process the image to extract encoded data. In someembodiments, this processing may comprise cropping and compressing thedata contained on the image. The internet enabled device 106 may thenuse a network interface (e.g., a wired or wireless network interface) totransmit the image data to a server.

In some embodiments, the server may comprise algorithms developed toquickly process and determine information associated with the cards. Insome embodiments, these algorithms may have been developed utilizing adatabase of data associated with identification cards. Currently, in theUnited States, there are more than 1,000 different formats of encodeddata associated with identification cards issued by various entities(e.g., corporations, states, government organizations, military, or postoffice). For example, some states change the encoding used on theirdrivers licenses every few years. However, those states may leave theolder drivers licenses in rotation. Thus, these identification cards maycomprise out of date encoding. Further, some states may use multipledifferent types of encryption. Similarly, multiple states use differentencoding and encryption, thus, an algorithm associated with, e.g.,Georgia may not be useful for decoding data associated with anotherstate's identification cards. In some embodiments, the remote databasemay comprise data associated with a large number of these entities.Algorithms developed based on the data in this database may enable theserver to quickly process and parse the data on an identification card.Further, in some other embodiments, data comparison software or stringsearches may enable the database to be quickly searched to determineinformation about the received data.

Further, in some embodiments, the server may determine whether theidentification card is valid or “fake,” e.g., by comparing extracteddata to a database of valid identification cards. Further, the servermay track whether the user has recently activated or purchased otherage-restricted material or purchased more than a certain amount ofage-restricted material (e.g., more than a specified number ofe-cigarette devices) in a specified period. In still other embodiments,the server may be configured to compare information associated with theuser to a no sell list. If the user is on the no sell list the servermay send information to the internet enabled device 106 to prevent theinternet enabled device 106 from authorizing purchase of age-restrictedmaterial 116.

Once the data is decoded, the server may use a network connection totransmit the decoded data back to the internet enabled device 106. Thisdata may include, e.g., the user's date of birth, a first name, a lastname, an address, a city, a state, a zip code, an issue date, or anexpiration date, and may further include information accessed from apurchase history database, e.g., the last time the user boughtage-restricted material 116, the prior quantities of age-restrictedmaterial 116 bought by the user, and/or whether the user has recentlyactivated an age-restricted device. In other embodiments, thisinformation may be a simple authorization code indicating that the useris authorized to complete the transaction. This information is then usedto confirm that the user is authorized to purchase age-restrictedmaterial 116. If the user is authorized to purchase the age-restrictedmaterial, the Internet enabled device 106 will transmit a verificationsignal to the point of sale device 112. The point of sale device 112 isprogrammed to not authorize sale of the age-restricted material 116without the authorization signal. In one embodiment transmitting theverification signal may comprise displaying a second passive data sourcecomprising a verification code and configured to be scanned by the pointof sale device 112. In another embodiment transmitting the verificationsignal may comprise displaying a textual verification code configured tobe entered by a user into the point of sale device 112. In still anotherembodiment, transmitting the verification signal may comprisetransmitting a verification signal to the point of sale device 112network interfaces 110 and 114, e.g., via wired or wireless datatransmission.

This illustrative embodiment is mentioned not to limit or define thelimits of the present subject matter, but to provide an example to aidunderstanding thereof. Illustrative embodiments are discussed in theDetailed Description, and further description is provided there.Advantages offered by various embodiments may be further understood byexamining this specification and/or by practicing one or moreembodiments of the claimed subject matter.

Illustrative Systems for Point of Sale Age Verification

FIG. 2A shows an illustrative system 200 for point of sale ageverification. Particularly, in this example, system 200 comprises acomputing device 201 such as, e.g., a wearable device, smartphone,tablet, portable music device, laptop, desktop, kiosk, or dedicatedcomputer terminal. As shown in FIG. 2A, computing device 201 has one ormore processor(s) 202 interfaced with other hardware via bus 206. Amemory 204, which can comprise any suitable tangible (andnon-transitory) computer-readable medium such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, orthe like, embodies program components that configure operation of thecomputing device. In this example, computing device 201 further includesone or more network interface devices 210, input/output (I/O) interfacecomponents 212, and additional storage 214.

Network device 210 can represent one or more of any components thatfacilitate a network connection. Examples include, but are not limitedto, wired interfaces such as Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394, and/or wirelessinterfaces such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication,RFID, and/or radio interfaces for accessing cellular telephone networks(e.g., transceiver/antenna for accessing a CDMA, GSM, UMTS, or othermobile communications network(s)).

I/O components 212 may be used to facilitate connection to devices suchas one or more user interfaces 216 (e.g., keyboards, mice, speakers,microphones, and/or other hardware used to input data or output data)and display 220 (e.g., a display such as a plasma, liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), electronic paper, cathode ray tube (CRT), light emittingdiode (LED), or some other type of display known in the art). In someembodiments, user interfaces 216 and display 220 may comprise a singlecomponent, e.g., a touch screen display. In some embodiments, I/Ocomponents 212 may include speakers configured to play audio signalsprovided by processor 202. Storage 214 represents nonvolatile storagesuch as magnetic, optical, or other storage media.

Scanner 218 comprises a sensor configured to detect a passivedata-source, such as data encoded in a multidimensional code. Forexample, in one embodiment, scanner 218 may comprise an optical sensorsuch as a digital camera. In such an embodiment, processor 202 may usescanner 218 to take an image of a passive data-source, e.g., a matrixbarcode such as a QR code, bar code, or multidimensional bar codeencoded in PDF-417. In some embodiments, the digital camera may compriseno specialized hardware capability, for example, in some embodiments,the digital camera may be a standard digital camera found on mobiledevices such as smartphones and tablets. Further, in some embodiments,the digital camera may comprise an auto-focus capability that enablesthe camera to capture an image of the multidimensional code atsufficient resolution to reliably extract the encoded data. In such anembodiment, processor 202 may use software stored in memory 204(discussed below) to determine data encoded in the multidimensional barcode. In other embodiments, scanner 218 may comprise another component,such as a laser scanner, CCD, reader, video camera reader, or other typeof scanner configured to scan a passive data-source such as amultidimensional bar code. In still other embodiments, scanner 218 maycomprise a scanner configured to detect data from a magnetic code (e.g.,a magnetic strip), an RFID, NFC, a SmartCard, an Integrated Circuit Card(ICC) or some other type of passive data.

Turning to memory 204, exemplary program components 224 and 226 aredepicted to illustrate how a device may be configured to decode data onidentification cards. In this example, an image detection module 224configures processor 202 to monitor the input from scanner 218 to detectan image comprising machine-readable data. For example, module 224 mayconfigure processor 202 to enter an image capture mode in which display220 shows the output from scanner 218. Further, in some embodiments,image detection module 224 may be configured to determine the quality ofdata received from scanner 218. For example, in one embodiment, this maycomprise measuring the resolution and focus of the received image. Insome embodiments, image detection module 224 may further comprisesoftware to enable processor 202 to determine that the image is ofsufficient quality, and therefore capture the image.

Image-parsing module 226 represents a program component that analyzesimage data received from scanner 218. In one embodiment, image-parsingmodule 226 may comprise software configured to enable processor 202 tocrop and/or compress the captured image for transmission via network 210to a remote server. In further embodiments, image-parsing module 226 maycomprise program components configured to enable processor 202 toperform an image comparison between the captured image and data storedon a local database. In some other embodiments, image-parsing module 226may comprise algorithms that enable the processor 202 to quicklydetermine the data encoded in a label, e.g., the name, date of birth,address, driver's license number, height, weight, state, county, race,organ donor status, issue date, expiration date, driver restriction,class of vehicle, passport information, criminal record information, orany other information stored in the encoded data. In some embodiments,some of this information may be withheld, e.g., due to privacy concerns.Thus, in some embodiments, information such as a person's height,weight, race, organ donor status, driver restrictions, or class ofvehicle may be withheld.

In other embodiments, program components 224 and 226 may be comprisesoftware components configured to enable processor 202 to process othertypes of passive data-sources, e.g., magnetic strips, RFIDs, NFC,SmartCards, or Integrated Circuit Cards (ICC). In still otherembodiments, components 224 and 226 may be configured to access andauthenticate data associated with electronic identification cards, e.g.,cards that comply with ISO/IEC CD 18013-5.

In other embodiments, computing device 201 may comprise additionalcomponents, such as motion detectors, accelerometers, or GPS receiversthat processor 202 may use to determine other information, such as themovements or orientation of computing device 201.

Turning now to FIG. 2B, which shows an illustrative system 250 of anage-restricted device 251, e.g., an e-cigarette device. In someembodiments, the age-restricted material 116 discussed above with regardto FIG. 1, may comprise such an age-restricted device 251.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the system 250 has one or more processor(s) 252interfaced with other hardware via bus 256, age-restricted material 254(e.g., a nicotine or a cannabinoid such as THC or CBD containingsubstance, or some controlled medication (e.g., anxiety or depressionmedication), opioids, or some other controlled substance, which may beconfigured to be vaporized or otherwise dispensed by age-restricteddevice 251), a network interface 260, and input/output (I/O) interfacecomponents 262.

Network device 260 can represent one or more of any components thatfacilitate a network connection. Examples include, but are not limitedto, wired interfaces such as Ethernet, USB, microUSB, Firewire, IEEE1394, and/or wireless interfaces such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, NearField Communication, RFID, and/or radio interfaces for accessingcellular telephone networks (e.g., transceiver/antenna for accessing aCDMA, GSM, UMTS, or other mobile communications network(s)). In someembodiments, network interface 260 is configured to receive anactivation signal from computing device 201, described above with regardto FIG. 2A, transmit this activation signal to processor(s) 252, whichthen activate the age-restricted device 251 based on the activationsignal.

I/O components 262 may be used to facilitate connection to devices suchas one or more user interfaces 266 (e.g., keyboards, mice, speakers,microphones, and/or other hardware used to input data or output data)and display 220 (e.g., a display such as a plasma, liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), electronic paper, cathode ray tube (CRT), light emittingdiode (LED), or some other type of display known in the art). In someembodiments, I/O components 262 may include speakers configured to playaudio signals provided by processor 262.

FIG. 3 illustrates another illustrative system for point of sale ageverification 300. As shown in FIG. 3, system 300 comprises a computingdevice 310, comprising a processor 311, memory 312 comprisinginstructions 313, and a network interface 314. In some embodiments,computing device 310, and its components may operate similarly to thecomponents of computing device 201 described above with regard to FIG.2A. Thus, in some embodiments, the components of computing device 310may enable the computing device to scan a passive data-source, processthe data, and transmit the processed data via access network 330.

In some embodiments the access network 330 may be a 3GPP network, a3GPP2 network, a WiMAX network, 4G LTE, HSPA+, UMTS, a Wi-Fi network(e.g., a network that operates in accordance with an IEEE 802.11standard), or some other wireless access network. In other embodiments,access network 330 may comprise a wired network such as Ethernet, USB,microUSB, Firewire, IEEE 1394, cable, or telephone networks. In someembodiments, access network 330 may comprise a plurality of differenttypes of wired and/or wireless networks configured to transmit databetween computing device 310 and server 320.

As shown in FIG. 3, the access network 330 is further coupled to aserver 320. Server 320 is configured to receive data sent from computingdevice 310 via access network 330 using network interface 323. Networkinterface 323 may comprise a wired and/or wireless network interfaceconfigured to receive data using access network 330.

Server 320 further comprises a processor 321 coupled to a database 322.Database 322 may comprise a database of data associated withidentification cards. In some embodiments, the database 322 may comprisedata associated with identification cards issued by one or more ofcorporations, states, and government organizations. Processor 321 may beconfigured to use data comparison software to compare data received fromcomputing device 310 to data stored in database 322 to determine thetype of encoding associated with an image and then quickly decode thedata, e.g., by parsing the data to determine the stored information,e.g., the name, date of birth, address, driver's license number, height,weight, state, county, or any other information stored in the encodeddata.

In other embodiments, rather than performing a full lookup of database322, processor 321 may instead comprise algorithms configured todetermine information about a passive data source without having tosearch database 322. In some embodiments, these algorithms may have beendeveloped using the data available in database 322. Further, in someembodiments, these algorithms may enable the processor 321 to quicklydetermine the jurisdiction that issued a card, e.g., by determining theIssuer Identification Number (“TIN Number”) associated with the card, orthe type of encryption used in the card. Once this is determined,processor 321 may access an algorithm associated with that IIN number toquickly determine data associated with the passive data source. In someembodiments, processor 321 may be configured to determine the storeddata in 2 seconds or less. Processor 321 may also be configured todetermine that a passive data source is associated with a valididentification card, e.g., by confirming that extracted data matchesdata in a database of valid identification cards.

Further, in some embodiments, processor 321 and database 322 may beconfigured to adapt to new data types. For example, in some embodiments,the administrators of database 322 may periodically update database 322with new data associated with new entities (e.g., states, governmentorganizations, or corporations). In other embodiments, processor 321,may be configured to update database 322 based on new data received fromentities as the entities post new information (e.g., as a state releasesa new type of identification card).

In other embodiments, processor 321 and database 322 may be configuredto analyze received data that is not associated with a known type, andbased on patterns of other received data, make a determination about thereceived data. For example, in one embodiment, processor 321 anddatabase 322 may be configured to compare the encoding to known encodingtypes and thus determine that the encoded data is associated with NorthCarolina. The processor 321 and database 322 may be configured tofurther determine that some component of the encoding or encryption isincorrect, for example, because the person who set up themultidimensional code for the drivers' licenses in a jurisdiction (e.g.,a state or county) used the wrong type of encoding. Based on thisdetermination processor 321 may update database 322 with new informationabout this jurisdiction (e.g., the state or county), to thus enableprocessor 321 to use database 322 to determine data associated with thatjurisdiction in the future. In still other embodiments, computing device310 and server 320 may comprise additional components, such asadditional memory and processing components or network componentsconfigured to provide faster or more convenient access via accessnetwork 330.

In some embodiments, the parsed data may be stored on the server 320. Insome embodiments, this information may be used for future processing andauthentication. For example, in some embodiments, a user may not be ableto purchase more than a certain amount of age-restricted material (e.g.,no more than one e-cigarette) within a set time period (e.g., one-day,one-week, one-month) to prevent a user from distributing them. Further,in some embodiments, the server 320 may store the total amount of anage-restricted material purchased by the user. In some embodiments, thisinformation may be used to restrict the user's access to additionalamounts of an age-restricted material. For example, one user may not beable to purchase over a certain quantity of the age-restricted materialin a set time period. In still other embodiments, the user's age, thetotal amount of a substance the user has purchased, and the time sincethe user's last purchase may all be used together to determine whetherthe user can purchase more of the age-restricted material. In stillother embodiments, the server may be configured to determine whether theuser is on a no sell list, and, if so, prevent authorization of apurchase of age-restricted material.

Turning now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, FIGS. 4A and 4B comprise images 400 and450 of data encoded on the back of drivers licenses from two differentstates. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the data is encoded using PDF-417.As discussed above, PDF-417 is a stacked linear barcode format. PDFstands for Portable Data File. The 417 signifies that each pattern inthe code consists of 4 bars and spaces, and that each pattern is 17units long.

In some embodiments, data encoded using PDF-417 may further comprisesome type of compression or encryption. These types of encryption andcompression are applied irregularly amongst jurisdictions such asFederal and State organizations. The present disclosure comprises adatabase that takes into account these differences and is usable for alljurisdictions. Further, in some embodiments, additional data may beencoded into the identification card. For example, in Florida someinformation associated with the driver may be embedded into the driver'slicense number. Thus, in some embodiments, a database associated withFlorida driver's licenses may be useful only if it is designed to storethis information.

Turning to FIG. 4C, FIG. 4C illustrates an example embodiment of thefront face of an identification card 460. As shown in FIG. 4C, theidentification card is an example similar to many states' driver'slicenses and includes a picture as well as written informationidentifying the holder of the driver's license. FIG. 4D shows thereverse side 470 of the identification card 460. As shown in FIG. 4D,the identification card includes a PDF-417 label (e.g., labels 400 or450 described above). In some embodiments, this label may comprise allor some part of the data on the front of the identification card.Further, in some embodiments, rather than being on the back of the card,the label may instead be located on the front. For example, somemilitary identification cards (e.g., CAC cards) include a label on thefront of the card. Some of these cards further include additionalpassive data-sources, such as ICC, SmartCards, RFIDs, NFCs, magneticstrips, or QR Codes. In some embodiments, rather than a PDF-417 label,the driver's license may instead comprise one of these other types ofpassive data-sources. Embodiments of the present disclosure may usesimilar technology to capture and decode data stored in these additionaltypes of passive data sources. Further, In some embodiments, theidentification card may comprise an electronic identification card,e.g., an electronic ID stored in a computer associated with the user,e.g., stored in an application on the user's mobile device. In someembodiments, such an electronic identification may comply with ISO/IECCD 18013-5.

Illustrative Methods for Point of Sale Age Verification

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an illustrative method 500 for point ofsale age verification. In some embodiments, the steps in flow chart 500may be implemented in program code executed by a processor, for example,the processor in a general purpose computer, mobile device, or server.In some embodiments, these steps may be implemented by a group ofprocessors. In some embodiments the steps shown in FIG. 5 may beperformed in a different order. Alternatively, in some embodiments, oneor more of the steps shown in FIG. 5 may be skipped or additional stepsnot shown in FIG. 5 may be performed. The steps below are described withreference to components described above with regard to the systemsdescribed above with regard to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3.

The method 500 is described with regard to image capture of a passivedata source (e.g., of an image of a multidimensional bar code). However,the steps below are equally applicable to processing data extracted fromother types of passive data sources. For example, these method steps maybe applied to capturing data from a magnetic code (e.g., a magneticstrip), an RFID, NFC, a SmartCard, an Integrated Circuit Card (ICC) orsome other type of passive data. Further, in some embodiments, themethods described below may be used to extract data appearing as printedtext on the front of an identification card. In such an embodiment theprocessor 202 may be configured to perform an optical characterrecognition (OCR) of this text.

The method 500 begins at step 502 when processor 202 receives a scannersignal from scanner 218. As discussed above, scanner 218 may compriseone of a plurality of devices configured extract data from a passivedata source (e.g., a barcode or other information printed on anidentification card). In one embodiment, scanner 218 may comprise acamera configured to capture an image of the front or the back of anidentification card. In some embodiments, the image may comprise animage of machine-readable data encoded in an identification card (e.g.,on the back of the identification card). In some embodiments, themachine-readable data may comprise a multidimensional encoding, such asdata encoded using PDF-417. In other embodiments, the image may comprisean image of text printed on the front or the back of the identificationcard. In still other embodiments the scanner 218 may comprise a scannerconfigured to scan other types of passive data sources, e.g., a magneticcode (e.g., a magnetic strip), an RFID, NFC, a SmartCard, an IntegratedCircuit Card (ICC) or some other type of passive data.

Next processor 202 determines a type of encryption associated with thescanner signal 504. In some embodiments, determining the type ofencryption may comprise determining a type of encoding associated withthe scanner signal or determining that the scanner signal is not encodedor encrypted. For example, in some embodiments, determining a type ofencryption may comprise determining how data is encoded, e.g., encodedin a matrix barcode such as a QR code, bar code, or multidimensional barcode encoded in PDF-417. Further, in some embodiments, determining atype of encoding may comprise determining a type of scanner, e.g.,determining that the scanner signal is received from one or moredifferent types of scanners 218, e.g., scanners configured to detectinformation embedded in one or more of an image, a magnetic code (e.g.,a magnetic strip), an RFID, NFC, a SmartCard, an Integrated Circuit Card(ICC) or some other type of passive data. In still other embodiments,the type of encryption may be determined by processor 321 on a serverconnected to computing device 201 via a network connection.

At step 506 the processor 202 extracts known data elements from thescanner signal. For example, the processor may be configured to extractdata elements such as e.g., the name, date of birth, address, driver'slicense number, height, weight, state, county, race, organ donor status,issue date, expiration date, driver restriction, class of vehicle,passport information, criminal record information, or any otherinformation stored based on the scanner signal. The processor 202 mayextract this information by comparing the scanner signal to data storedin a local data store. Alternatively, the processor 202 may executealgorithms to extract certain encoded data from the scanner signal. Instill other embodiments, known data elements may be determined byprocessor 321 on a server connected to computing device 201 via anetwork connection.

Then at step 508 processor 202 transmits data associated with thescanner signal to a server 320. In some embodiments, processor 202 maycompress data prior to transmission, e.g., the processor 202 may performone or more compression algorithms to reduce network overhead and uploadtime in transmitting data associated with the scanner signal. Processor202 may use network 210 to transmit the data. As discussed above,network 210 may comprise any type of wired and/or wireless networkavailable to computing device 201. In other embodiments, processing theimage data may comprise extracting known elements from the image. Forexample, in some embodiments, the image may comprise non-encryptedPDF-417. In such an embodiment, processor 202 may extract availableknown data from the image. For example, in some embodiments, theprocessor 202 may resize the image to 640×480 pixels, transform theimage to 24-bit grayscale with a quality of 80%, and convert the imageto Base64 string representation.

Processor 321 on server 320 may process the scanner signal to extractdata from the scanner signal. Alternatively, in some embodiments, theprocessing may occur on processor 202 local to computing device 201. Insome embodiments, processing the scanner signal may comprise determininginformation about the scanner signal, e.g., a type of encoding orencryption type associated with the scanner signal. In some embodiments,processing the data may comprise comparing the data to a database. Inother embodiments, rather than performing a line-by-line comparison to adatabase, the server may instead use a series of algorithms developedbased on previous cards to determine the data. For example, the servermay comprise a database 322 of data associated with identificationcards. The server may further comprise a series of algorithms configuredto determine information about identification cards.

In some embodiments, these algorithms may have been developed using thedata stored in database 322. In some embodiments, these algorithms mayenable the server to quickly determine identification data. For example,the server may use algorithms and logic to quickly determine the IINNumber associated with the card. Further, once the IIN number isidentified, the server may use low overhead string functions to performa lookup in a specially formatted string that contains all of theapplicable values. In some embodiments, this may comprise using aSupertanker String Lookup technique during the data discovery process.These may comprise low overhead string functions to perform a lookup ina specially formatted string that contains all of the applicable values.For example, enclosing the ID Issue State/Province in dashes “-” andlooking for the index of its position in the following string: “-BC-,-MB-, -NF-, -PO-, -SK-, -ON-, -NS-, -NB-, -PE-”. In some embodiments, ifthe index is greater than zero, then the country of origin is Canada.Another example, putting a dash in front of the TIN and looking for theindex of its position in a string like the following would return thecorresponding state if valid: “-636033AL, -636059AK, -636026AZ,-636021AR”. In both of the above examples, the resources required tofind the position of a string within another are much lower than doing alookup in a table or other data structure.

Further, in some embodiments, processing the image data comprisesdetermining that there is enough captured data to start the process. Insome embodiments, processing may also determine whether the data wasextracted from a magnetic stripe (e.g., via swiping a reader rather thana captured image) or a barcode. In some embodiments, processing the datamay further comprise replacing any invalid binary characters andstandardizing on the Track Sentinels. In some embodiments, processingthe data may further comprise checking binary data points to determineif any information is encrypted (e.g., if the data comprises anencrypted driver's license or identification card). In some embodiments,the processing may further comprise replacing any invalid binarycharacters and determining the type of data (e.g., driver's license,military identification, passport, or some other data type).

Processing the scanner signal enables data associated with the scannersignal to be determined. In some embodiments, determining the dataassociated with the scanner signal comprise parsing the data todetermine the stored information, e.g., the name, date of birth,address, driver's license number, height, weight, state, county, issuedate, expiration date, or any other information stored in the encodeddata. In some embodiments, this parsing process may comprise identifyingand consolidating the field separators and delimiters in themultidimensional code, and identifying the name parts, taking intoaccount the variations based on state/province, and intelligentlyrecognizing which parts of the name are provided.

In some embodiments, the parsed data may be stored on the server 320. Insome embodiments, this information may be used for future processing andauthentication. For example, in some embodiments, a user may not be ableto purchase more than one device within a set time period (e.g.,one-day, one-week, one-month) to prevent a user from purchasing multipleage-restricted devices (e.g., from multiple points of sale) anddistributing them (e.g., to underage users). Further, in someembodiments, the server 320 may store the total amount of anage-restricted material purchased by the user. In some embodiments, thisinformation may be used to restrict the user's access to additionalamounts of an age-restricted material. For example, one user may not beable to purchase over a certain quantity of the age-restricted materialin a set time period. In still other embodiments, the user's age, thetotal amount of a substance the user has purchased, and the time sincethe user's last purchase may all be used together to determine whetherthe user can purchase more of the age-restricted material.

Then at step 508, server 320 transmits a data signal associated with thedata extracted from the scanner signal. In some embodiments, this datasignal comprises information associated with the age or identity of theuser who scanned the identification card. Further, in some embodiments,this data includes whether the user is authorized to purchaseage-restricted material 116, e.g., the user is over a certain age andhad not purchased more than a certain quantity of age-restrictedmaterial within a certain time period.

At step 510, the computing device 201 receives the data signal from theserver 320. Then at step 512, the computing device 201 transmits averification signal to a point of sale device 112. In one embodimenttransmitting the verification signal may comprise displaying a secondpassive data source comprising a verification code and configured to bescanned by the point of sale device 112. For example, in such anembodiment, the internet enable device 106 may display a machinereadable code (e.g., a barcode) configured to be scanned by a scanner onthe point of sale device 112. In some embodiments, such a machinereadable code may comprise one or more of: a matrix barcode such as a QRcode, bar code, or multidimensional bar code encoded in PDF-417. Thismachine readable code comprises data indicating that the user associatedwith the identification card 102 is authorized to purchase agerestricted material 116. In another embodiment transmitting theverification signal may comprise displaying a textual verification code(e.g., an alphanumeric code) configured to be entered by a user into thepoint of sale device 112. In still another embodiment, transmitting theverification signal may comprise transmitting a verification signal tothe point of sale device 112 network interfaces 110 and 114, e.g., viawired or wireless data transmission. For example, such a signal may betransmitted via one or more of a Ethernet, USB, microUSB, Firewire, IEEE1394, and/or wireless interfaces such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, NearField Communication, RFID, and/or radio interfaces for accessingcellular telephone networks (e.g., transceiver/antenna for accessing aCDMA, GSM, UMTS, or other mobile communications network(s)).

The verification signal is required to allow point of sale device 112 toauthorize and complete a sale of the age-restricted material 116 to theuser associated with the identification card 102. Further, in someembodiments, the point of sale device 118 and/or the internet enableddevice 106 may transmit data associated with the transaction to a remotedatabase that stores information associated with purchases ofage-restricted material 116. This information may be used in futuresales transactions, e.g., to deny sale of an age-restricted device 251to a user who has recently purchased another age-restricted device, thuspreventing a user from purchasing a larger number of age-restricteddevices 251 and distributing them.

Turning now to FIG. 6, which is a flowchart showing an illustrativemethod 600 for point of sale age verification. In some embodiments, thesteps in flow chart 600 may be implemented in program code executed by aprocessor, for example, the processor in a general purpose computer,mobile device, or server. In some embodiments, these steps may beimplemented by a group of processors. In some embodiments the stepsshown in FIG. 6 may be performed in a different order. Alternatively, insome embodiments, one or more of the steps may be skipped or additionalsteps may be performed. The steps below are described with reference tocomponents described above with regard to the systems described abovewith regard to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3.

At step 602 an point of sale device 112 receives an verification signalfrom internet enabled device 106. The verification signal was determinedbased on scanning a passive data source and extracting data from thepassive data source as described in the embodiments above.

At step 604 the point of sale device 112 authorizes sales transactionallowing a user associated with identification card 102 to complete thetransaction purchasing age-restricted material 116.

In some embodiments, the systems and methods described above may beprovided to application developers on a software development kit (SDK)that enables the developer (e.g., the developer of the webpage or iOS,Android, or Windows application) to quickly plug the functionality intotheir application or web page as a module. In other embodiments, anapplication or web page development company may develop its own imagecapture software, but may be given access to image processing capabilityusing the database and algorithms described herein. In otherembodiments, the database of data associated with identification carddata may be sold to application or web page development companies. Inother embodiments, only portions of the database may be sold or madeavailable, e.g., only the segment of the database associated with astate, region, or government entity. In other embodiments, algorithmsdeveloped to determine identification data associated only a certainregion may be made available.

General Considerations

The methods, systems, and devices discussed above are examples. Variousconfigurations may omit, substitute, or add various procedures orcomponents as appropriate. For instance, in alternative configurations,the methods may be performed in an order different from that described,and/or various stages may be added, omitted, and/or combined. Also,features described with respect to certain configurations may becombined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elementsof the configurations may be combined in a similar manner. Also,technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples and donot limit the scope of the disclosure or claims.

Specific details are given in the description to provide a thoroughunderstanding of example configurations (including implementations).However, configurations may be practiced without these specific details.For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, andtechniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoidobscuring the configurations. This description provides exampleconfigurations only, and does not limit the scope, applicability, orconfigurations of the claims. Rather, the preceding description of theconfigurations will provide those skilled in the art with an enablingdescription for implementing described techniques. Various changes maybe made in the function and arrangement of elements without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

Also, configurations may be described as a process that is depicted as aflow diagram or block diagram. Although each may describe the operationsas a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed inparallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations maybe rearranged. A process may have additional steps not included in thefigure. Furthermore, examples of the methods may be implemented byhardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardwaredescription languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented insoftware, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the program code or codesegments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in anon-transitory computer-readable medium such as a storage medium.Processors may perform the described tasks.

Having described several example configurations, various modifications,alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departingfrom the spirit of the disclosure. For example, the above elements maybe components of a larger system, wherein other rules may takeprecedence over or otherwise modify the application of the invention.Also, a number of steps may be undertaken before, during, or after theabove elements are considered. Accordingly, the above description doesnot bound the scope of the claims.

The use of “adapted to” or “configured to” herein is meant as open andinclusive language that does not foreclose devices adapted to orconfigured to perform additional tasks or steps. Additionally, the useof “based on” is meant to be open and inclusive, in that a process,step, calculation, or other action “based on” one or more recitedconditions or values may, in practice, be based on additional conditionsor values beyond those recited. Headings, lists, and numbering includedherein are for ease of explanation only and are not meant to belimiting.

Embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter canbe implemented in digital electronic circuitry, in computer hardware,firmware, software, or in combinations of the preceding. In oneembodiment, a computer may comprise a processor or processors. Theprocessor comprises or has access to a computer-readable medium, such asa random access memory (RAM) coupled to the processor. The processorexecutes computer-executable program instructions stored in memory, suchas executing one or more computer programs including a sensor samplingroutine, selection routines, and other routines to perform the methodsdescribed above.

Such processors may comprise a microprocessor, a digital signalprocessor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC),field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and state machines. Suchprocessors may further comprise programmable electronic devices such asPLCs, programmable interrupt controllers (PICs), programmable logicdevices (PLDs), programmable read-only memories (PROMs), electronicallyprogrammable read-only memories (EPROMs or EEPROMs), or other similardevices.

Such processors may comprise, or may be in communication with, media,for example tangible computer-readable media, that may storeinstructions that, when executed by the processor, can cause theprocessor to perform the steps described herein as carried out, orassisted, by a processor. Embodiments of computer-readable media maycomprise, but are not limited to, all electronic, optical, magnetic, orother storage devices capable of providing a processor, such as theprocessor in a web server, with computer-readable instructions. Otherexamples of media comprise, but are not limited to, a floppy disk,CD-ROM, magnetic disk, memory chip, ROM, RAM, ASIC, configuredprocessor, all optical media, all magnetic tape or other magnetic media,or any other medium from which a computer processor can read. Also,various other devices may include computer-readable media, such as arouter, private or public network, or other transmission device. Theprocessor, and the processing, described may be in one or morestructures, and may be dispersed through one or more structures. Theprocessor may comprise code for carrying out one or more of the methods(or parts of methods) described herein.

While the present subject matter has been described in detail withrespect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated thatthose skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of theforegoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, andequivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, it should be understoodthat the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of examplerather than limitation, and does not preclude inclusion of suchmodifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matteras would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

1-27. (canceled)
 28. A system comprising: an age verification systemconfigured to verify an age of a user; an aerosol delivery devicecomprising: hardware that provides aerosol to the user; and an accessoryconfigured to provide access to age restricted material of the aerosoldelivery device when the accessory is unlocked, wherein the accessory isunlocked when the user is authenticated with the age verificationsystem.
 29. The system of claim 28, wherein the user is authenticated bythe accessory communicating with the age verification system.
 30. Thesystem of claim 29, wherein the accessory further comprisesauthentication circuitry configured for communication with the ageverification system.
 31. The system of claim 28, wherein the accessorycouples a power supply with the aerosol delivery device.
 32. The systemof claim 31, further comprising a host device coupled with theaccessory, wherein the host device provides communication with the ageverification system over a network.
 33. The system of claim 32, furthercomprising a network through which the age verification system iscoupled with the host device.
 34. An accessory for an aerosol deliverydevice comprising: an interface that is configured to provide access toage restricted material within the aerosol delivery device; andauthentication circuitry that is configured to receive an ageverification of a user, wherein the access is not provided to theaerosol delivery device without the age verification.
 35. The accessoryof claim 34, wherein the interface comprises a switch configured toprovide the access via an interface on the accessory to the aerosoldelivery device upon the age verification, and further wherein theswitch does not allow the access via the interface when the ageverification fails.
 36. The accessory of claim 34, wherein the ageverification comprises an authentication that includes communicatingwith an age verification system over a network.
 37. The accessory ofclaim 36, wherein the authentication is required and references the ageverification of the user.
 38. The accessory of claim 36, wherein aninitial age verification operation is performed using identifyingdocumentation.
 39. The accessory of claim 34, wherein the ageverification comprises an initial age verification for a user andcomprises subsequent authentications of that user.
 40. The accessory ofclaim 39, wherein the initial age verification comprises an associationof a user with an age, such that the subsequent authenticationscomprises requests to authenticate the association with the user. 41.The accessory of claim 40, wherein the initial age verification occursaround a time of purchase.
 42. The accessory of claim 39, furthercomprising I/O components to facilitate connection to one or more userinterfaces.
 43. The accessory of claim 39, wherein subsequentauthentications compares data for subsequent authentications to datastored from the initial age verification for the user.
 44. The accessoryof claim 34, further comprising a sensor configured to detect a passivedata-source.
 45. The accessory of claim 34, wherein the accessory isconfigured to be a host device.
 46. The accessory of claim 45, whereinthe host device is configured to communicate with an age verificationsystem over a network regarding the age verification.
 47. The accessoryof claim 45, wherein the host device is configured to communicate withthe accessory through electric pulses or data pulses.
 48. The accessoryof claim 34, wherein the aerosol delivery device comprises a bus forassisting with delivery of the age restricted material.
 49. A method foroperating a charging accessory with an age restricted device, the methodcomprising: receiving an age verification for a user; accessing, whenthe age verification is authenticated, the age restricted device; andpreventing from accessing, when the age verification is notauthenticated, the age restricted device.
 50. The method of claim 49,further comprising: communicating, over a network, with an ageverification system for receiving the age verification of the user. 51.The method of claim 50, wherein the age verification comprisesinformation on whether the user has a verified age or not.